EricaByrdCollins Week 3 Social Justice and Infromation Systems for Population Health

The podcast discusses the fentanyl opioid crisis leading to overdose in Texas and the US. The three waves of the opioid epidemic are explained, with fentanyl being the most deadly. Texas has made progress in reducing overall drug overdoses, but synthetic opioid overdoses are still a major problem, especially in Houston. The demographic affected has shifted from rural white Caucasians to urban African-American adults. Social determinants of health, such as poverty and lack of access to resources, contribute to the problem. The Harris County Public Health Opioid Overdose Prevention Program aims to address these social determinants and reduce opioid overdose deaths through data collection, treatment linkage, and prevention activities. Houston has a plan to combat the fentanyl crisis. Good morning, Houstonians. Welcome to Get Up Monday Mornings with yours truly, Nurse Erica's Eagle Eye View podcast, sharing facts on health topics affecting our community. Today, my eagle's eye view is zeroed on the fentanyl opioid crisis leading to overdose in our state, Texas, and throughout the U.S. The opioid epidemic isn't news to us. It's been around for decades in three notable ways. We first see it rise in the late 1990s to 2000 due to opioid prescriptions, which were linked to unhinged pharmaceutical companies, one who was just recently in the news last month surrounding monetary settlements to victims. Purdue is the name. Heroin was the second wave noted in the late 2000s. Lastly, today, the third wave, which has proved to be the largest and deadliest, is fentanyl starting at the beginning of 2010. Deaths by drug overdose, either natural or semi-synthetic opioids, in every 100,000 resident population of Texas based on reports via NHQDR, a horrible health disparity, is reporting that the state of Texas has achieved its benchmark, which was 2.2, I'm sorry, and the estimate being 2.1, charting a 4% improvement. Now, concerning drug overdoses, this is Texas' strongest measure. However, when noting drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, other than methadone, per 100,000 residents, the population of Texas failed to reach its benchmark, which is 1.1, to an overwhelming 6.3, which put Texas at 500% away from the distance of reaching the targeted benchmark. This report captures the fentanyl epidemic we are experiencing globally. Specifically, in Harris County, Houston, Texas, the highest death rate was among areas captured 500 residents. The death rate per 100 was 23.5. Houston, we have a problem. Originally, decades ago, the opioid epidemic was seen in rural areas, primarily within the white Caucasian demographic, but the demographic has exploded exponentially within the urban areas among African-American adults. How do we fix the global disparity? To fix this problem, we must go to the root cause, which is considered the social determinants of health in the lives of these victims and those whose lives are waiting in the balance. Social determinants give light to why individuals find themselves within the drug abuse cycle and if not broken debt. Moreover, they increase the risk of opioid overdoses happening. These social determinants, economic stability, which is poverty, lower socioeconomic status, lower income, food insufficiency, another, education, lack of access and resources to attend, another, health and health care, mistrust among these individuals for systems and providers, experience manifested racism, lack of access to transportation, lack of access to mental health and drug treatment, another one is neighborhood and built environment, housing instability, transportation, toxic exposure, safety violence, and lastly, social and community context, adversity in childhood, negative life events, lack of social and emotional support, living alone. Proudly, I'll join an initiative, the Harris County Public Health Opioid Overdose Prevention Program funded by the CDC addressing three social determinants that would result in reducing the disparity of deaths by opioid overdose, which are the following, improving data collection and analysis around opioid misuse, abuse, and overdose. This would afford us vital information to announce to the public the state of the crisis and perfectly align the correct solution, a strategic plan. Secondly, increasing linkage to treatment for persons living with opioid addiction. This would improve access to individuals who are unaware of available resources and decrease lapse in treatment leading to saving lives. And lastly, partner with agencies and key stakeholders to fund and enhance prevention activities. This would confirm accountability as community leaders, increase financial support, and improve prevention strategies. Congratulations, Houston. We have a working plan to combat the fentanyl crisis here in Houston and greater parts of Texas. Thank you for tuning in today. We'll see you next time, same time, same place. This is Nurse Erica giving you an eagle's eye view of our community. Have a blessed day.